A gender reveal in Mexico went tragically wrong when a plane streaming a sign about a baby girl plunged into the waters off Cancun – killing two people on board while the parents-to-be and their guests watched in horror from a boat, according to reports.
The expecting couple, their family and friends were watching the flyover in glee in the Nichupte Lagoon off the coast of the resort city about 3:30 pm Tuesday, The US Sun reported.
“It’s a girl!” the guests are heard screaming as the single-engine Cessna 206, which was rented from a company called Xomex, flew overhead and performed a series of stunts, according to the outlet.
One person on the boat even made a chilling joke, saying, “It’s all good as long as it doesn’t end up crashing into us!”
Moments later, the prescient comment almost ended up happening when the aircraft nosedived into the lagoon, turning what had been a joyous celebration into an abject nightmare.
“Surely this can’t be happening!” one shocked attendee shouted.
Local media reported that there had been between two and four passengers aboard the plane, which took off from Holbox, about 40 miles from Cancun.
One of the people died while the rescue operation was underway, Francisco Fernández Millán, president of the Nautical Association of Quintana Roo, said in a statement, according to La Prensa Latina.
The other person died while receiving first aid by first-responder, the outlet reported.
One person died as the rescue was underway, the other died receiving first aid.
The Federal Civil Aviation Agency has launched an investigation into the tragedy.